People in traditional "La Befana"  costumes compete in the "Regatta of Befane" on the Grand Canal in Venice on Jan. 6. The post-Christmas Italian tradition of La Befana is observed on Epiphany, which celebrates the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem. The night before, families leave a glass of wine and some fruit by the fireplace to welcome the ugly, old witch Befana as she flies in on her broomstick to bring gifts to good children and punish the bad.